Hawaii Business Magazine’s second annual Health and Wellness Conference is designed to empower employers, HR managers, and educators with the tools to enhance employee wellness, retention, and productivity. Through expert insights, actionable strategies, and inspiring discussions, attendees will discover effective solutions for fostering a resilient, thriving workplace.
Emily Esfahani Smith is an author and psychotherapist in Washington D.C. Her book, The Power of Meaning, is an international bestseller and has been translated into 16 languages. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, and the Wall Street Journal. Her TED Talk, “There’s more to life than being happy,” has been viewed over 15 million times. She lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and two young children.
Eric Rosso is co-owner of Yoga Room Hawaii which was named best yoga studio by Honolulu Magazine 2023 and 2024. Eric has been teaching yoga since 2012 and started facilitating breathwork classes in 2021. He retired his advertising agency of thirty years in 2023 to immerse himself in the wellness industry. He continues his photography and videography business, a graduate of Brown University where he played football and is a father of two grown children.
In a world of increased anxiety and uncertainty, the best thing we can do for our wellness and mental health is search for meaning, not happiness. That’s the vital message of Emily Esfahani Smith’s keynote address, which draws from her bestselling book, The Power of Meaning, to outlines the four pillars essential to living a life that matters: belonging, purpose, transcendence, and storytelling.
Explore how social wellness activities – like fitness groups, volunteer opportunities, and local markets – can foster a strong sense of community. We’ll discuss how these “third places” can serve as a buffer between your personal and professional lives while enhancing both.
Moderator: Steve Petranik, Editor and Publisher, Hawaii Business Magazine
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Gain practical tools in key areas to improve your employees’ well-being: nutrition, exercise, mental health and stress management. Panelists will discuss how equipping the management level with tools can help them identify and support employees across all levels of the organization.
Moderator: Tracy Foglia, Talent Leader, Hawaii Employers Council
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So many people in your workforce are caregivers, either as mothers and fathers to children or as caregivers to aging parents and others. You can help them remain as productive staffers by offering resources that help them cope with their unique challenges.
Moderator: Dan Haire, President and CEO, Navian Hawaii
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This panel will explore strategies to help employees improve financial literacy, reduce money-related stress, and build stronger financial futures. Panelists will discuss how employers can implement financial wellness programs to enhance employee well-being and productivity.
Moderator: Dan Falardeau, President, Hawaii Division, New Direction Trust Hawaii
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A dialogue on the science of breathwork with Steve Petranik and Eric Rosso that explains why breathwork can improve your health. The discussion is followed by an interactive breathwork practice with the audience led by Eric.
Dr. Gina Fujikami attended medical school at JABSOM and completed her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, followed by a Geriatrics fellowship at UCSF. She is currently a Geriatrician and Division Chief of Geriatrics at the Queen’s Medical Center, as well as a Clinical Associate Professor of Geriatrics at JABSOM. Dr. Fujikami serves on the board of the local Alzheimer’s Association chapter. Her interest in dementia began with her maternal grandfather, who suffered from the disease.
Laurie T.S. Adamshick, Esq., is an elder care attorney and partner at Rulon & Adamshick in Honolulu. She draws on her experience as the primary caregiver and advocate for her late parents in her work. Laurie is a Veterans Administration-accredited attorney and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Hawaii Estate Planning Council. She also serves as President of the Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society and sits on the Board of Directors of Kokua Mau.
Savina “Savy” Makalena is a life-time Caregiver, Daughter, Mother, and Mentor with a bachelor’s degree in business development and more than 30 years of experience across the retail industry and in leadership. She has an extensive background in business strategies, financial management, sales management, marketing & branding, and training.
Pamela Boyar, proprietor of FarmLovers Markets, has been a health advocate since 1978. She pioneered organic foraging for Los Angeles restaurants in the 1980s, working with renowned chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Roy Yamaguchi. In 2009, she launched FarmLovers Markets on Oahu, which now hosts 250 local businesses and feeds 10,000 people weekly. Her Kakaʻako Market was ranked third in the nation by USA Today. Pamela continues to champion locally grown and raised products through her weekly markets.
Stevette Santiago is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources and Brand Officer at UHA, overseeing culture, brand, and talent development. She has executive experience in logistics, finance, and communications, and is a leader in workplace culture and leadership coaching. Stevette advises UH Mānoa’s HR program and serves on boards including HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union, YMCA Metro Honolulu, and Friends of ʻIolani Palace. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UH Mānoa and certifications as an SPHR and SHRM-SCP.
Dan Falardeau has been working in the Hawaiian market since 1992, and his knowledge of Hawaiian business practices and his network of contacts across the state brings an insider’s strength to NDTCO’s Hawaii office. He has a BA in International Relations, a Series 3 Commodity Brokers License, an MBA in e-Business, and is a specialist in self-directed investing. Known for being warm, friendly, and full of “Aloha Spirit,” Dan is also a UH Certified Master Gardener and enjoys hiking and beach time with friends.
Waibel leads the YMCA of Honolulu as CEO. His guidance helped the organization through the pandemic enhancing its readiness for future community needs. The Y serves 50,000 people annually across Oahu and neighbor islands, focused on healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development through prevention and intervention programs. Previously, Waibel held senior leadership roles in other YMCAs. He also led for-profit companies in agribusiness, and M&A. Waibel holds an MBA and speaks Spanish and Portuguese.
Roxy was born and raised in Hawaii and attended Claremont McKenna College, graduating with a degree in Biochemistry. Exploring various careers, she met many individuals along the way who were complacent or uncertain about their financial health, no matter their age, background, or career achievements. At WestPac Wealth Partners, she found her passion in helping others make well-informed decisions about their finances by offering new perspectives to previously unconsidered possibilities.
Tracie Foglia is a strategic, people-centric talent leader who has served diverse organizations across Hawaii for 15+ years. With over two decades of training, consulting, coaching, and leadership framework building, Tracie partners with companies across sectors to cultivate talent and enhance organizational culture. Tracie’s tailored programs foster team dynamics, improve communication, attract key talent, and drive performance. Passionate about empowering others to be the best versions of themselves, Tracie brings neighbor island and global perspectives.
Egan Inoue is a two-time racquetball world champion, five-time MMA world champion, and founder of Egan’s Fitness. He transitioned from a decorated career in sports, including pioneering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the U.S., to focus on fitness and wellness, co-founding Egan’s Fitness with his wife in 2006. Their gyms offer diverse programs, including group fitness, martial arts, and coaching for all ages. Egan is also a motivational speaker and author of Becoming Relentless, a guide to achieving success in life and business. Born and raised in Manoa Valley, Egan remains committed to inspiring and empowering others through fitness and personal development.
Bunny Tanaka is the Community Impact Section Manager at Hawaii State Federal Credit Union. She is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor with experience in the hotel industry, human resources, and community education. An enthusiastic and strategic leader, Bunny has a proven record of building relational trust through dynamic partnerships and coaching individuals for success. She believes that each person can become a change agent for the next generation and contribute to a resilient community.
Dan Haire, President and CEO of Navian Hawaii, is a dynamic healthcare leader with 15 years of hospice executive leadership. With an MBA and BSN, he combines clinical expertise and business acumen to drive growth and excellence. Dan is committed to fostering a culture of compassion, optimizing operational processes, and ensuring Navian Hawaii delivers exceptional, patient-centered palliative and hospice care to the community.
Faye Mitchell, Executive Director of North Hawaii Hospice, was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. With over 20 years of experience in end-of-life care across California and Hawaii, she brings expertise in compassionate support, dementia education, and private-duty caregiving. Holding a master’s degree in psychology and certification as an End-of-Life Doula, Faye joined North Hawaii Hospice in 2021 and became Executive Director in 2024, continuing her dedication to her local community.
Michele Kauinui is the Director of Human Resource Services at simplicityHR by ALTRES, where she oversees a team supporting over 2,500 clients and ensures compliance across ALTRES companies. With 25 years of HR experience, she previously held roles in the hotel industry at Halekulani Hotel and Hilton Hawaiian Village. Michele earned her master’s degree in Human Resource Management from UH Mānoa and is a graduate of SHRM Hawaii’s 2022 HR Executive Leadership Program. She mentors emerging professionals through SHRM and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. In her free time, Michele enjoys running, traveling, and volunteering as a Board Member for Drill Team Hawaii.
Brandie Ota is the Human Resources Director at AlohaCare, overseeing all aspects of HR, including benefits, recruitment, payroll, and employee engagement. Previously, she served as Senior Manager of Talent and Organizational Development, focusing on leadership programs and organizational structure. She is passionate about supporting keiki and co-founded Books 4 Keiki, a nonprofit providing books to pre-K children in Title I schools. Brandie also serves on the Board of United Cerebral Palsy and co-founded Hawaii Young Healthcare Professionals. Her leadership plays a key role in fostering AlohaCare’s people-first culture and strategic initiatives.
Tia L. R. Hartsock is the Director of the Office of Wellness and Resilience in the Office of the Governor, the first statewide office of its kind. With nearly 25 years of experience, she has worked to improve Hawai‘i’s mental health and criminal justice systems through trauma-informed strategies. She has led SAMHSA-funded initiatives to expand mental health services for underserved populations and collaborates on national trauma-informed care efforts. A nationally certified trauma-informed care trainer, she also lectures at UH Mānoa’s Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health. Tia has been recognized as an Outstanding Government Leader by Mental Health America Hawai‘i and received the Daniel K. Inouye Award.
This program has been pre-approved for 5 HR (general) credit hours toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).
(Programs that have been approved for a specialized credit, will be recognized by the recertification system as HR General credit for those certification holders who do not have a need for Business, California, or Global recertification credits.)
